Stains, Metals, and Discoloration
Not every stain is algae, and not every discoloration should be hit with chlorine or acid.
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Guidance provided at best effort for educational purposes.Read Terms →
Avoid the two expensive mistakes
Do not acid wash as a first response, and do not SLAM metal staining as if it were algae.
Classify the symptom first
The first question is whether you are looking at scale, organics, or dissolved metals depositing on the finish.
Rule out organics and scale
Organic staining and scale can mimic metals, but the treatment order is different.
Use targeted treatment order
Once you are reasonably confident it is metals, treatment should be staged carefully.
Protect the surface
Surface type changes how aggressive you can be.
- → Do not acid wash simply because a stain is visible.
Escalate when the source is unclear
A stain that keeps returning usually means the source is still active.
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